It was a rude awakening for a pair of Lebanon families who awoke to smoke and fire in their homes.
“The first units that arrived found fire outside towards the rear of the structure, extending into the structure,” said Lebanon Fire Chief Larry Loeper.
Flames broke out around 4 a.m. on the back porch of 50 Lehman Street. Those flames spread quickly to the neighboring home, 52 Lehman Street, shooting up the walls and into an attached area.
“It’s tough in row homes because the fire gets into hidden spaces and just runs the hidden spaces on you. It’s tough to root it out and get down to the fire,” Loeper said.
Luckily, everybody made it out safely. Working smoke detectors may have helped the families get out alive.
“We did find working smoke detectors. I do not know if the occupants were alerted by them but they were working,” said Loeper.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital to be treated for a shoulder injury. Besides the two houses that were damaged the most, two other adjoining houses at 48 and 54 Lehman Street were damaged by smoke and water. However, the fire chief believes the people who live at those homes will be able to go back home today.
The State Police Fire Marshal is helping Lebanon investigators try and determine a cause.